After three attempts with different equipment, the elders finally concluded the results of the lux noctis test
Affinity: "Gray Variant" - not categorized within any mana element system.
Spiritual Talent: "Anomaly" - too high to be accurately measured by the advanced mortal grade formation.
Potential: "Unpredictable" - the advanced mortal grade formation could not project an estimated upper limit of his potential.
Elder Feng looked at Lux with an unreadable expression, "Step down from the platform, child. We need to talk for a moment."
As Lux stepped down from the platform, he caught the gazes of the other participants.
Jian Li looked at him with envy and fear, Mei Lin with curiosity, and Xiao Chen with admiration, and so did the other participants - each of them had a different view.
"This is just the beginning, worm," Mobius said. "Now they know there's something different about you."
After the incident on the test platform, Elder Feng took Lux to a closed meditation room inside the main building of the sect branch. This room had a CoR of 0.99985 - very stable and protected from external interference. From the room's window, Lux could see the parents of the test participants below still whispering. Some looked frightened, others curious. The words "gray meteor" and "chosen child" echoed among them.
The managers looked confused, repeatedly checking their equipment as if they couldn't believe what had just happened. Elder Feng sat across from Lux, his sharp eyes emitting a subtle energy that made Lux feel completely exposed.
"Lux, I need to do some additional tests. This is for your safety and the sect's, but before that, I want to tell you that I want to do two additional types of tests, is that alright?" Elder Feng said in a soft but authoritative voice.
Lux nodded, then Elder Feng smiled while explaining, "I will conduct the first test personally, a soul test using a soul energy measuring crystal." A transparent crystal was placed on Lux's forehead. Suddenly, the crystal shone so brightly that even the junior elders had to close their eyes. "Spiritual power... extraordinary for his age and he hasn't even started cultivating yet!" Then Elder Feng reached out and felt Lux's wrist, trying to evaluate Lux's body condition using his spiritual sense. "Meridian capacity... three times that of a normal child his age!" Elder Feng's voice sounded amazed.
After the tests were done, Noctis and Lumina were allowed to enter. Their faces were filled with worry. Noctis wanted to say something, "Elder Feng..." Noctis took a deep breath. "There's something I must confess. In the early stages of Lumina's pregnancy... she was accidentally affected by a gray meteor when we were traveling home from out of town."
Lumina nodded, her eyes glistening. "I was on my way home when the meteor flashed. There was a gray light that shone across the sky... and I fainted. But the doctor said the fetus was fine..."
Elder Feng nodded slowly. "That explains a lot." Elder Feng then opened an ancient scroll that he brought, containing confidential information that was only shared with the elders. "Lux is not the only one. Our sect has received reports from various parts of the world that Lux is not the only 'star child'. There are dozens, maybe hundreds of other children showing similar anomalies."
Elder Feng received information from the sect master that the gray meteor event was not only happening in the Verdant Lotus Mortal Lower World. The Upper World and the other four Lower Worlds were also experiencing it. The strongest sects in each world were monitoring all these "chosen children." They awakened some rare talents, certain types of bodies, or innate affinities, so this phenomenon was known as "Gray Star: Heavenly Blessing," Elder Feng explained.
Hearing this explanation, a flash of memory suddenly appeared in Lux's mind. Not memories of Lux as a child, but memories of Xuan Ming as an adult...
He saw the five faces of his friends inside the minibus. Liu Wei was smiling broadly, Chen Lin was checking documents, Zhang Wei, Li Hao, and Wang Jing were arguing fiercely about the bridge design. Then... gray light. Screams. Heat. And then... darkness.
"They... they're here too?" Lux thought with a pounding heart.
"So... this isn't a coincidence."
"Or we were chosen by something greater, worm. The gray meteor might not be an ordinary natural disaster," Mobius exclaimed to Lux. It was... "a selection process... perhaps more of my memories opening will provide an explanation," Mobius thought silently.
Elder Feng looked at Lux with a new gaze - no longer like looking at a small child, but like looking at something greater. "Lux, do you remember anything about the meteor?"
Lux bit his lip. "I... sometimes dream about gray light. And... there are other people with me."
The truth began to unfold, and for Lux, the journey to find his friends and understand his destiny had just gotten its first clue.
After a long discussion with the other elders, Elder Feng finally gathered everyone in the main courtyard. Faces full of anticipation stared at him, but the atmosphere had changed from competitive enthusiasm to almost palpable tension.
Elder Feng stood on the platform, his voice echoing with undeniable authority.
"After in-depth observation and consultation," he began, his eyes fixed on Lux, "we have decided that Lux Noctis will be accepted as a Direct Disciple of the Burning Sky Sect."
Gasps were heard throughout the courtyard. Direct Disciple was a very rare position - usually only given to children with extraordinary talent because it was an important position, as they could compete for the position of sect young master.
"As a Direct Disciple," Elder Feng continued, "Lux will be mentored by a senior elder appointed directly by the sect master, be allowed access to high-level sect resources from an early age, receive special protection given... the uniqueness of his condition, and live in the sect dormitory starting next week to begin his studies and start his cultivation at the age of 8."
Noctis and Lumina exchanged glances with mixed expressions. Pride mingled with worry.
"Direct Disciple..." Lumina whispered, her eyes glistening. "That's a great honor, but..."
"But he has to live in the dormitory. At the age of six," Noctis said in a heavy voice. His right hand clenched, showing how mixed his feelings were at the moment.
Lux himself felt like he was being tossed between excitement and fear. On the one hand, this was an unimaginable opportunity. On the other hand...
"They'll be watching you more closely, worm," Mobius said in his mind. "But it also means access to knowledge and resources that can help you understand your power."
The last night at home was filled with deep emotion. Their family gathered in the living room, candlelight illuminating their faces, which were filled with mixed feelings.
Noctis took out a finely carved wooden sword. "This isn't a real weapon, son. But a symbol. Remember that a true cultivator not only relies on strength, but also wisdom, and don't be arrogant just because you have talents that exceed others, making you careless. You're still young, son, but remember these words from your father."
"Don't worry, Father, I will remember them," Lux replied with strong conviction.
Then he evaluated the Coefficient of the wooden sword: 0.99910 - stable and full of energy.
Lumina then gave him an old green jade that had been passed down through her family. "This Protective Jade has protected generations of our family. Now you will take care of it."
Then Lux hugged his mother, saying, "Mother... Father... take care of yourselves, don't forget to practice so you don't get surpassed by me."
Lumina smiled gently and Noctis laughed, saying, "You brat, you still have 20 years before you surpass me, haha."
"We won't be idle either, Lux," Noctis said with a proud smile. "We will continue to become strong, so we can protect you when you need it."
After chatting for a while, and to Lux's surprise, in the past year, his parents had also made significant progress. His father, Noctis, now had 7 Pillars in the Foundation Establishment - Fire, Sword, Wind, Speed, Perception, Strength, and Vitality - after the past few years of being involved in many missions with dangerous battles, he also focused on increasing his strength.
And his mother, Lumina, had reached the 5th Pillar - Fire, Soul, Intelligence, Perception, and Lightning - although not as fast as his father because his mother was a formation expert, so she sometimes focused on improving her formation skills.
While alone in his room, Lux began preparing the things he would bring, while contemplating everything that had happened.
"This is just the beginning," he whispered to himself. "This test proved I'm different. But different doesn't mean weak."
He looked at the full moon outside the window, feeling the energy of Mobius swirling within his soul.
"I will master my power, find my friends, and uncover the truth behind all of this. Whatever happens, I will not give up."
As Lux closed his bag, something fell from between his clothes - a small piece of paper that he didn't recognize. With a pounding heart, he opened it.
The writing was simple but made his blood run cold.
"We know about you.
Meet us at the sect library during the full moon.
Another Star Child"
The paper then disappeared in a spark of gray light, leaving Lux with more questions than answers.
The real journey had just begun.